Special Olympics Athletes Will Compete Today in Havre
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Meadowlark Elementary School's Unified Champions School Banner. Koleman Anderson and Aidan Zinn hold their Special Olympics banner while their unified partners and support system have their backs. Back Row: Coach Mr. Jon Martin, Mekayla Brown, Gracie Skoyen, Dentin DePriest, Madilyn Gruszie, Hannah Schoen, Hendrix Doney, Alexus Seymour, Mrs. Pam Darrah, and Mrs. Leann Haider. Middle Row: Brianna Boettcher, Rilee Molyneaux, Jeni Mord, and Addison Olsen.
Last July at the 2018 USA Games in Seattle, Washington, ESPN and Special Olympics hosted the first-ever Unified Sports Challenge raising awareness for an inclusive world. Through the power of athletics, Special Olympics is spreading the ideas of unity, tolerance, and respect.
As part of this inclusion revolution, Mr. Jon Martin, the principal at Meadowlark Elementary Schools, has agreed to coach a unified team at the Great Northern Area Special Olympic Games this year. Koleman Anderson and Aidan Zinn are the two athletes from Meadowlark Elementary School who will represent Chinook at the Special Olympics.
Celebrating their 30th anniversary in 2019, the Great Northern Area Special Olympic Games, which invite athletes from 24 surrounding communities, are scheduled for April 24-26 in Havre. Current Special Olympics Montana sports offering unified competition include basketball, bowling, alpine skiing, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, track and field, kayaking, bocce, equestrian, soccer, golf, triathlon, and swimming.
The unified sports in which Chinook youth will compete are the 400 meter relay and bowling. The sixth grade unified partners and volunteers who will join athletes Anderson and Zinn are Dentin DePriest, Rilee Molyneaux, Addison Olsen, Alexus Seymour, Hannah Schoen, Hendrix Doney, Brianna Boettcher, Jeni Mord, Mekayla Brown, Madilyn Gruszie, and Gracie Skoyen. They will be assisted not only by Coach Martin but by staff members Leann Haider, Pam Darrah, and Callie Hines.
According to Martin, a unified team consists of athletes and general education partners who compete alongside the athletes. "As far as I know, we are the only school on the Hi-Line that is registered as a Unified Partners School," he said.
In addition to their Unified Partners events, Anderson and Zinn will be participating in the track events of softball throw, long jump, and 50 meter dash.
Special Olympics Montana's Unified Champion Schools is a school-based initiative creating opportunities for authentic social inclusion in and out of the classroom. Adhering to such a mission results in a school climate and culture that fosters acceptance and engagement for all students. Unified athletes build their bodies, sharpen their skills, and challenge the competition-all while having fun. Research has shown that athletics not only provide a physical workout but build friendships, character, and leadership in those who participate.
The vision of the Unified Champion Schools initiative is to create a world where people with intellectual disabilities are welcomed in their communities and join with others to learn, work, compete and play, having the same rights and opportunities as others.
